An American Story of Real Life CHAPTER 11.
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It was just eleven o'clock when Henry Ware received the notice requiring him to give bail, as mentioned in the last chapter, and at twelve that day, bail had to be produced. The unexpected aspect which this difficulty, already well near insurmountable, had assumed, made the young man feel like giving up all further efforts at attempting a concealment of his visit to Pandora's establishment.
After a long silence, in which his own mind, and that of his friend, were searching, but in vain, for some new expedient, Handy asked, in rather a desponding tone,
"Can you think of nothing, Harry?"
"Nothing," was the brief, gloomy response. "Who will pay your bail?"
"Can't you?"
"Of course I would not be received, in consequence of being a witness myself. Nor am I at all sure that a similar notice to yours will not be served on me before the next hour."
"I see the difficulty."
"But you must have bail."
"I know that too well. And yet, I can think of no one except my old man. But it will never do to make application in that quarter."
"Can't you humbug him into it in some way?"
"How?"
"I don't know exactly how. But still, may it not be done? Can't you invent a plausible story that will mislead him in regard to the real facts in the case, and so get him to stand by you?"
"That might be done, though I do not exactly see how."
"Has he given any attention to the case?"
"Not much, I believe. When the affair occurred, it was a kind of three days' wonder with him, as with others. Since then, I presume, he has scarcely thought of it."
"Suppose, then, you trump up some story about your knowledge of an old quarrel between Pandora, and that you have been summoned to testify in regard to that? Don't you think that you might fool him in some such style as that?"
"That's it again!" ejaculated Ware, starting to his feet, and beginning to walk about his office with a quick step, while the dark shadow that had rested upon his face, was quickly dispersed by an exulting smile.
"You are certainly great at inventions. But for you, I never could have got along even half so far as I now am, in this most perplexing affair."
"You think it can be done without difficulty?"
"O yes. He'll believe any well-told tale just now. Still, I dread to approach him on the subject, for fear that something in my countenance or tone of voice may betray me. There is so much at stake, and I feel so deeply on the subject, that I am beginning to lose the calm assurance that has thus far stood me such good service."
"How would it do for me to go to him?"
"I am sure I do not know. He would very naturally wish to know why I did not see him myself."
"Of course he would. But I can manage him well enough in regard to that. The last interview I had with the old codger gave me a clue to his character. I read him like a book, then, and know him now from A. to Z."
"If you are perfectly willing to go, Tom, I shall be glad enough to have you do so, and am satisfied to trust the matter to your sound judgment. But time presses. I must be at the Court House in less than an hour--or there will be the devil to pay."
Ten minutes after, young Handy entered the store of Mr. Ware, with a manner perfectly calm and assured, while there sat upon his countenance, an expression of concern, not deep, but clearly defined, and not to be mistaken.
"Ah, good morning, Thomas. I am pleased to see you," said Mr. Ware, encouragingly. "Walk back into the counting-room."
Handy followed the old gentleman into his Counting-room, the door of which Mr. Ware closed after him, purposely, in order that their conversation might be private. The coming in of Handy made him think of his son, and he felt desirous of conversing more in regard to him, with one who was on such intimate terms with, and seemed to take so deep an interest in him.
"Well, Thomas," he said, in a cheerful tone, after they were seated, "what news is stirring in your way?"
"Nothing of consequence, except--" and then he hesitated and looked a little grave.
"Except what, Thomas?" asked Mr. Ware, exhibiting some little concern of manner.
"To be plain, honest and frank with you at once, Mr. Ware, a course that I always like to pursue--I have come in this morning to see you about an annoying circumstance that has occurred to Henry."
"To Henry?" said the old man, with anxiety. "What of him, Thomas?"
"Oh! it's nothing at which to be alarmed. In fact, it is nothing but a little matter of annoyance to him."
"Speak out plainly and to the point, my young friend," Mr. Ware now said, in a firm, decided tone.
"It is, in fact," resumed Handy, "only one of the results of former imprudent associations. Our sins often visit us with penalties, after our earnest repentance, and repudiation of them."
"Speak plainly, Mr. Handy."
"I will, sir. It is now nearly a year since Henry and myself were induced, among other indiscretions, to visit Pandora's gambling rooms, and engage in play. Three months' experience, however, completely cured us of our folly. During that time both Henry and myself became acquainted with Pandora, and also with several regular visitors at his establishment. Among these, was an evil, quarrelsome individual. One night a dispute arose between him and Pandora, when a brief rencontre ensued, in which he was severely beaten. Henry and myself were both present, and saw the whole affair. Ever since that time, it appears, that this individual held a grudge against Pandora, and has, I am told, frequently insulted him with the intention of drawing him into another fight. A few weeks ago, as you will remember, he quarreled with Pandora, and was killed. Now, someone has informed Blackstone, the Attorney General, that we we're present at the former affray, and he has summoned us both to appear as witnesses in the case. But what he wants us to prove, is more than I can figure out."
"Is that all?" said Mr. Ware, breathing more freely.
"That is the whole merit of the case, but it is not all that troubles Henry's mind."
"What does trouble his mind?"
"The fact that he has been required to give bail for his attendance as a witness."
"Why has that course been pursued?" asked Mr. Ware, gravely.
"I must explain a little to make that matter clear to you. When Henry first learned that the Court required his attendance, he went to the State's Attorney, in the hope that he could induce him to leave his name off, stating to him, frankly, that his presence in such a place was at a time when he had allowed himself to be led away into irregular habits, by injudicious associations, and that he had very particular reasons for wishing this fact not to see the light, as he feared that it would now lead to a false judgment in regard to him in quarters where it was of the utmost consequence that he should be thought of favorably. But Mr. Blackstone could not be induced to waive his evidence. At a subsequent interview, when he had fixed in his own mind about the first of May as the day of his marriage, he mentioned to Mr. Blackstone that he expected to be unavoidably absent from the city, at the time the case would be called. To prevent this, he has been required to furnish bail."
"Why did he not himself mention this to me, Thomas?" asked Mr. Ware.
"I urged him very much to do so," was the cool reply. "But he said that he was so much troubled and mortified in regard to it, that he felt sure, that, in making it known to you, he would be liable to misapprehension, and be judged more severely than he deserved. I do really feel sorry for him--he takes the whole thing so hard. And it does seem hard when a young man is trying his best to do right, that the consequences of old indiscretions should visit him, and threaten disgrace and injury."
"What amount of bail is required?" asked the old gentleman, in a thoughtful tone, after Handy had ceased speaking.
"Four thousand dollars."
"Four thousand dollars!"
"Yes a most exorbitant bail. And it is the fact of such a large security having been required, that troubles Henry so much, though I tell him that it does not reflect upon him, but upon the party who stands the prosecution."
"Certainly it does not reflect upon him. It only shows that his evidence is considered of great importance, and that a strong barrier is to be put in the way of his absenting himself at the time of the trial. Of course I must pay his bail, and it might as well be done at once. Will you go with me to the Court-room?"
"O, certainly, sir! Certainly!" was Handy's ready and pleased response, as he rose from his chair. In a few moments after, he left the store, and, in company with old Mr. Ware, took his way to the State House.
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